This March in our Village
Hello!
I am so glad that you are here. How are you doing? I am relishing the cooler weather with Autumn on our doorstep and the change of season in the air. This is my favourite season, both in the garden and kitchen.
Right now, it is full steam ahead with both life and work. Controlling the pace is a daily mission and I am getting better at finding the ‘sweet spot’, but rest assured, it is rarely perfect! I remind myself to stop and have an espresso and just keep doing my best. How do you go at managing the pace of your life? I’m always interested to know how others do this.
And despite already having a fairly full plate, I have joined some new community groups this year. I am learning the ukulele (visit story), my dear friend Nicola and I have started a local book club (first book choice), I am participating in a very special women’s circle and, volunteering for my daughter’s netball team as their Team Manager. And instead of adding to the overhwelm, I am learning that I feel less overwhelmed and lonely when I invest in daily moments of connection, joy and generosity.
I hope you enjoy reading This March in our Village and have a wonderful month ahead.
Silvia xx
This month we are planning a trip to Sicily
Villagio’s first international tour to Sicily is from 15th to 24th October 2024. Download all of the information here.
We will be closing the bookings for this trip on Friday 22nd March 2024. If you have any questions please respond to this newsletter and I will be in touch with you directly.
In the meantime, allow me to transport you to the Sicilian Seaside Town of Ortigia which is a place we will be visiting on this special trip of a lifetime.
This month we are cooking a Sicilian Apple Cake
With apples in season this month, have a go at making my Sicilian Apple Cake. It is vegan and has a beautiful tang with extra virgin olive oil. Watch me make it and get the recipe here.
Thank you to those who attended our live Sugo di Pomodoro Masterclass in February. You can watch the replay here or get the recipe here.
You may also like to try two regular classics that I have been cooking for a good 15 years now. Inherited from my father-in-law and treasured recipes adored by my family. Grandpa Tom’s Simple Plain Cake or Chocolate Cake.
This month we are reading "Bitter Almonds"
With Easter on our doorstep, Sicilians love to use almonds for their baking. This book inspired my personal voyage to the Sicilian hilltop town of Erice to visit Maria Grammatico’s famous ‘pasticceria’ (pastry shop) piled high with almond biscotti, crostata with quince jam and ricotta cannoli (just to name a few!).
Author Mary Taylor Simeti is a friend and chronicler of Maria’s moving story and recipe collection and you can feel the connection between both women on every page. Purchase the book.
Here is my recipe for quince jam and watch me make it.
This month we are building our Village
Invite friends over for a week day lunch. Read my thoughts.
Bring out all your favourite tablecloths and linens and use them. Read my story.
Start a project that nourishes your mind, body and soul. Watch my project.
Follow Villagio’s Instagram for weekly inspiration on how to build your village.
This month we are meeting my mum Nonna Concetta Barone
My mum was my first teacher of Sicilian cuisine. I cooked with her at a very young age. Today, there is plenty of banter as we discuss and regularly disagree on particular ingredients and methods! That is the Sicilian way and I’m sure it is very typical of mother and daughter relationships!
Read my story of taking my mum back to her Sicilian village where she was born in A Journey Full Circle.